Understanding Air and Vapor Barriers

A necessary tool to comprehend

The successful inclusion of an air barrier system in building projects can be a rewarding experience for the designer and owner.

With moisture-related problems in both new construction and older buildings equally prevalent in the news, there is no doubt that air and vapor barriers should be a well used and understood tool in a designer’s bag of tricks. However, depending on a number of factors – such as the climate of the given location, the building materials used in the project, building codes, and other key design issues – the type of barrier and the appropriate location within the system’s structure vary greatly.

Moisture Movement in the Built Environment

Moisture can present itself in the built environment in a number of ways. The main avenues for water infiltration are:

Kinetic energy – Rainwater driven through the roof system, mortar joints or other entry point

Gravity – Water flow down sloping design elements with entry into the building envelope

Pressure differential – Pressure differences in the building envelope that push the water into openings

Water vapor – Moisture transported by diffusion or air leakage.

A properly designed and built masonry system will take into account these possible avenues for water infiltration. Masonry systems typically utilize some variation of moisture management – including the appropriate air space, flashing, weather-resistive moisture barrier, termination bars, drip edges, sealing seams, weeps, vents, and/or other tools – to effectively remove the majority of water infiltration. The combination of the cladding and moisture management system in the wall’s envelope provides the first protection against the environmental elements. However, this combination alone is no match against water vapor.

It was once thought that water vapor through diffusion was the culprit in potential moisture problems in building design; however, experts discovered that air leakage provided a far greater ability to carry more moisture through miniscule holes, seams and other penetrations. Surprisingly, air leakage is capable of depositing several gallons of moisture each year into the system, 30 to 40 times greater than by diffusion. The use of an effective air-vapor barrier system can limit this moisture penetration through the CMU backup or sheathing and help eliminate the potential damage.

Differences Between Air, Vapor and Moisture Barriers

With close similarities between air, vapor and moisture barriers – as well as the fact that certain products or systems can be considered to be more than one type of barrier – confusion is bound to occur.

“Quite honestly, there are a lot of areas of the country where people aren’t nearly as familiar with air-vapor barriers and their installation as you might think,” says Christopher Bupp, technical services for Hohmann and Barnard, Inc.

Moisture Barriers

Moisture – or weather-resistive – barriers are intended to prevent non-vapor, liquid water from infiltrating the wall system. The International Building Code (IBC) requires moisture barriers to be integrated into the moisture management system for most types of wall designs. This system is effective in deflecting liquid, but – once again – provides no protection against vapor diffusion or air leakage.

While vapor and air barriers can be considered moisture barriers, the opposite is not the case.

Vapor Barriers

According to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), a vapor barrier is: “A vapor-resistant material, membrane or covering such as foil, plastic sheeting, or insulation facing having permeance rating of one perm (5.7 X 10-11 kg/PA.s.m2) or less when tested in accordance with the desiccant method using Procedure A of ASTM E 96.” The vapor barrier is effective in limiting moisture infiltration by means of diffusion, but typically not designed to effectively limit air leakage and the moisture accompanying it.

The IECC requires vapor barriers to be used in colder climates, with a few exceptions; the International Building Code (IBC), by referencing the IECC, therefore also has the same requirement.

Air Barriers

By contrast, an air barrier is any material that restricts the flow of air under pressure through a building envelope. According to the Air Barrier Association of America, the air permeance of any air barrier material is 0.02L(s•m2) at 75Pa. While many materials singularly can achieve this air permeance, the air barrier materials must be tied together in a continuous plane to form an assembly, with a maximum air leakage of 0.2 L(s•m2) at 75 Pa. Finally, the actual air barrier system consists of these air barrier assemblies in a continuous plane of air tightness for the entire building enclosure, with a maximum air leakage of the whole building at 2.0 L(s•m2) at 75 Pa.

While air barriers can be vapor permeable or vapor impermeable, there are several requirements of the air barrier system that must be met. An air barrier system must be able to resist live loads (e.g., wind pressure, HVAC mechanical loads, etc.) without failing, and the system must completely wrap the entire building envelope completely, without presenting any entry points for air leakage. Each air barrier component, assembly and the connections between them must be connected, from the roofing system to the below-grade structure, to resist these loads. A failure of any part of the system is a failure of the system as a whole.

While the 2006 IBC does not require an air barrier in exterior wall systems, experts suggest that we should expect a mandatory air barrier requirement with the 2009 IBC. Several factors play a part in this expectation.
First, the well received National Building Code of Canada requirements specify the acceptable level of air permeability of 0.02 L/(s-m2) at 75 Pa pressure (0.004 cfm/ft2 at 1.57 psf); several states and municipalities in the United States have adopted this requirement as well.

Second – and more importantly – AHRAE 90.1 “Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings” was updated in 2006 requiring the use of air barriers, which is adopted by reference by the IECC, which once again will be adopted by reference by the IBC in 2009.

Types of Air Barriers

There are several different types of air barrier materials available:

Mechanically-attached membranes, also commonly referred to as housewraps, that allow vapor transmission

Self-adhered membranes, aka peel and stick, which are typically waterproof and vapor impermeable

Fluid-applied membranes, such as heavy-bodied paints or coatings

Closed-cell spray-applied polyurethane foam, which typically provides insulation as well

Thermofusible materials, typically made with SBS-modified asphalt that is “melted” to the substrate.

Each type of air barrier product has specific characteristics that may provide benefits over another type for certain projects or climates; this very topic is grounds for another article unto itself.

The type of construction materials being used (e.g., brick cladding and CMU backup)

Overall climate for the given location and temperature during installation

Compatibility of the materials being used

Timeframe for construction completion

Product durability

Efficient application

Code compliance.

“From an installation standpoint, it really depends on the type of application as to which product makes sense,” Bupp says. “Also, with the different climates that we have in the United States, it really has to be determined by geographical area what types of products work best in any given application. I wouldn’t tell an architect firm in San Antonio, Texas, to apply a vapor barrier in the same area of a wall system as I would for a firm in Boston. Most designers understand that, but I still think it’s important to stress.”

If there is any doubt as to the appropriate material to choose for a particular project, your air barrier manufacturer can assist you in specifying the correct product.

Going Green

Not only do air barriers make sense in creating a healthier environment by limiting the potential for moisture-related problems, but they are also a great addition to a building’s overall sustainable design. Masonry buildings already provide significant energy and lifecycle savings, but air barriers are an additional improvement to both of these areas for owners and occupants.

The U.S. Department of Energy determined that 40 percent of the energy consumed to heat or cool a building is due to air leakage. However, according to a 2006 National Institute of Standards and Technology study, a properly specified and installed air barrier system can provide an energy cost savings of approximately 32 to 39 percent, with the largest savings going to buildings in colder climates. Also, due to this significant energy efficiency capability, air barriers can provide points toward a building’s LEED certification.

Basic Installation Steps

Just as well researched and exact designs and specifications are important to the successful implementation of an air barrier system for any given project, installation is equally important for the overall satisfactory completion.

While each type of air barrier product will have its own installation procedure, there are a number of steps that should be considered in masonry construction, regardless of the product.

Mortar should reach the minimum cure period recommended by the air barrier manufacturer prior to installation

Complete a full examination of the CMU backup substrate prior to installation, verifying it is clean and free of moisture

Consider the weather conditions under which the air barrier assemblies will be applied and make changes accordingly

Ensure any work by other trades that may penetrate through the air barrier system is in place and complete

Prime the CMU backup according to manufacturer’s recommendations

Seal vertical and horizontal surfaces at terminations and penetrations

Connect air barrier assemblies in exterior wall continuously to the air barrier of the roof, to below-grade structures, to windows, curtain wall, storefront, louvers, exterior doors and other intersection conditions and perform sealing of penetrations, using accessory materials and in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Plan accordingly for changes in substrate plane, through-wall flashings, control and seismic joints, and any other gaps to ensure continuous transitions

During the installation and construction process, the membrane should receive appropriate protection at the end of each work day

Do not allow materials to come in contact with chemically incompatible materials

Do not expose membrane to sunlight longer than recommended by the manufacturer

Prior to enclosing the assembly, inspect and repair any damaged areas of the air barrier system.

Conclusion

The successful inclusion of an air barrier system in building projects can be a rewarding experience for the designer and owner. Whether the project is commercial or residential – even a multi-tenant building – can reap benefits from the healthy environment, reduction in energy consumption, and increased building valuation.

About the Author

Jennie Farnsworth is an Atlanta-based freelance writer and editor. She is a former editor of Masonry magazine.

Masonry Messenger

Stay Connected

The Mason Contractors Association of America is committed to preserving and promoting the masonry industry by providing continuing education, advocating fair codes and standards, fostering a safe work environment, recruiting future manpower, and marketing the benefits of masonry materials.